Need advice on buying used VFR please

Looking at buying a supposedly "mint" condition 2003 VFR800 with about 9K on her. Looks immaculate but I know looks can be deceiving. What are the easiest things for me to look at or listen too to that may be signs of abuse or a problem with the bike that could be bad? This is my first experience buying a used bike - my current bike I bought new and babied it so I never had to worry about problems. I bought a 2006 Ninja 650R but I'm over it now and just too much in love with the Interceptor so I have to get one. Also this is the ABS model. I'm not familiar with this particular bike's engine and setup so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

With 9K you should be able to see some reciepts for new tires and maintenance records for an oil change at 600miles and 2-3 oil changes (more is better) Look at the owner's manual to see if it's ever been opened -if it's not been then the owner likely didn't do what it says to do. The chain should be "mint" if the bike is... where's the chain lube he used? Where is the chain adjustment gauge (located on the chain guard by the rear sprocket.) Can the owner show you how to adjust it? lube it? (no?... then he never did it). What's the tire's air pressure? does the owner know what it should be.

Just stuff that if it was well taken care of the owner would be able to tell you or quickly look up having done it before while he/she took care of the machine the way you'd expect to.

Other wise the 6th gen. bikes are an evolution of 25 years of engineering and are pretty solid without the quirks you'll find on some other models. The engine and transmission are solid and you should expect great service from the machine if the first 9K were full of TLC. (tender loving care)

If you say where you are located, there may even be someone from the list who'd look over it with you.

 

you might like to ask the owner if they have had the S.V's set up??but above all, get a test run on it.
One other thing you could do,is get it fired up,run it to temp.and just see if the fans cut in when the temp. is over the 100 mark,not sure when they come in, but it would tell you that the cooling side of things are ok.
Good luck anyway,

 

My '07 fan kicks on at 222F. Tell the owner you want the oil filter off of it, even if you have to buy him a new one. Then cut it open with a pipe cutter or tin snips, so not to make metal shavings (can't use a saw or grinder), pull the folds in the paper filter apart, look for an excess of "shiney dust" or flakes of metal deep in the folds. A little is normal, but not too much. I do this at every oil change.

 

Bring a ruler and make sure the forks are straight.

Make sure the engine is COLD when you start it. Sometimes owners warm up a bike to hide something. Listen for any odd clacks or knocks, rev the engine a little and make sure it doesn't hesitate or vibrate excessively.

Check for oil leaks under the motor.

Here's an important one. Go buy yourself a multimeter. With it on the 'DC' setting, make sure it holds at least 13v at idle, 14v above that at the battery terminals. Just take off the seat, pull up the battery flap. If not, factor in a new rectifier for $200 and a rewire job (easy).

Tires. Check the tread wear indicators. If they're worn out, figure about $300 for new ones.

Make sure the VIN matches the title, verify it's clear too. Title name matches his, right?

Check all functions on the bike..turn signals, lights, switches, brakes etc etc.

Smell and look at the oil. Get some on a white sheet of paper, look for metal shavings. Make sure it's not excessively brown. A gas smell or coolant odor isn't good.

Scratches on the bar ends or fairing means a low speed drop. Bars might be tweaked. Ditto for the foot pegs.

Smell the exhaust. Shouldn't be discolored or coolant odor.

Run your finger over the rotors, should be fairly smooth. Do this before the ride of course.

I don't know how much he's asking, but I like to bring cash. People get suspicious with bank checks or money orders and seldom will they let you test ride the bike without something tangible in their hands first. Think how you would feel if it were your bike.

Once the transaction is done, call your insurance company before you get half a mile from his house. Get it covered immediately.

I'm sure there's more, but it's late and my brain is mush from work. That'll get you started at least.

 

Thanks all

I appreciate the response. Let you know how it goes...